Can Sizes a Hundred Years Ago

Source: Household Engineering: Scientific Management in the Home by Mrs. Christine Frederick (1919)

Can sizes today seem like they change constantly. I remember when tuna came in 6 3/4 ounce cans, more recently the cans were 6 ounces, and now they are just 5 ounces. Similarly, I remember when commercially-canned peaches were in 1 pound (16 ounce) cans; now the cans are only 15 ounces.

A hundred years ago there were standard can sizes, and people often referred to cans by their size number. For example, I’ve seen old recipes which call for 1 – No. 3 can of tomatoes. There actually still are standard can sizes, but the size numbers aren’t something on the tip of consumers’ tongues like they once were.

Source: Household Engineering: Scientific Management in the Home by Mrs. Christine Frederick (1919)

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36 thoughts on “Can Sizes a Hundred Years Ago”

Yes, and every time a container — can or otherwise — gets a little smaller, it seems as though the price goes up. It’s such a phenomenon that Blue Bell, our famous ice cream maker, prints on every carton “Still a Half Gallon!” In an age of the marvelous shrinking ice cream “pint,” it’s a good marketing tool.

Good observations. I remember when the yogurt containers went down from 8 oz to 6 oz. I was furious, but no one else seemed to care. I have a couple of cake recipes that called for one 8 oz container of yogurt… which now I just short out… because I’m a rebel.

The yogurt I bought the other day was 5 1/2 ounces! Ah! That’s why it is not a complete lunch! I do remember when I was a kid, my mother referred to most of the cans of vegetables as #2 cans. I don’t remember any other number attributed to the size of the cans.

That’s what I usually do. too! I buy a local Greek style yoghurt, plain and non-fat, but it is so delicious it almost tastes like cream! I buy it by the quart and it is handy for everything from a snack to a sauce. My granddaughter loves the sweetened ones, so now and then she’ll get a treat.

Going down: I still get recipes that mention a #2 can. But weights can be very different now. What used to be 16 oz. Is now 12 oz. Same price or higher. Going Up: I wonder if dress sizes are different now too…seems like people were smaller 100 years ago. A size 14 is probably labeled a 16 now since we are bigger and bigger. Mind boggling!

Calling a can by a number suggests that they had a very high level of standardization back then. This was a time period when things were rapidly industrializing and when people were into “scientific” housekeeping.

True the cans are often smaller. A little while back I was looking for canned tuna to discover in wasn’t in cans but little bags! On the positive side, those little amounts are just right for a smaller family.